Can you drink tap water in Belgium? Our water quality test

What substances have we controlled the presence? Nevertheless, – Can you drink tap water

Our tap water analysis does not not on all parameters Provided by the European Directive on Water Patability. Furthermore, intended for human consumption. Therefore,

We have chosen to target only certain chemical pollutants Deemed particularly relevant with regard to news. Furthermore, such as PFAS or pesticides and their metabolites. Nevertheless, On the other hand. In addition, we have not analyzed microbiological quality, nor general parameters such as pH or hardness of the water.

Pesticides and their metabolites – Can you drink tap water

We sometimes find in the drinking water of Prohibited pesticides for years, as well as their metabolites.

After their use. In addition, the active substances of pesticides spread in the environment and can be transformed into one or more other degradation substancescalled can you drink tap water metabolites. However, Some of these metabolites end up reaching water resources intended for human consumption.

Environmental. Nevertheless, health effects

Even at low concentrations, some pesticides may present long -term health risks, such as Endocrine disturbancesof the cancers or effects on nervous system. For example, Metabolites, on the other hand, can also be toxic, even more, than original pesticides.

If some pesticides. Nevertheless, their metabolites tend to accumulate in the human organismthey can also harm aquatic organizations and disturb the balance of ecosystems.

Regulatory standards

In Europe, the presence of pesticides and their derivatives (relevant metabolites) is limited to:

• 0.1 microgram per liter (μg/l) for each substance specific;
• 0.5 microgram per liter (μg/l) at total.

And metabolite is tried “pertinent” If he presents Risks comparable to those of the original pesticides. Furthermore, For non -relevant metabolites. Therefore, no European limit is set, but some countries, such as can you drink tap water France, apply precautionary thresholds for groundwater, for example 0.9 microgram per liter.

Learn more about pesticides

Chlorates and perchlorates

THE chlorates are by-products that are formed during the Disinfection of water with chlorine.

THE perchlorates mainly fromindustrial activities (for example the manufacture of explosives. fireworks), but can also appear as by-products of the chlorine disinfection. To a lesser extent, they can come from natural mineral deposits. Their presence in the environment is also linked to use and ammunition storage During the last war.

Environmental and health effects

These substances pose risks to health and the environment. A chronic exhibition at chlorates can slow the absorption of iodine. promote the appearance of a hypothyroidismcause damage to red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) and affect the renal function.

THE perchlorateseven at low doses. also disrupt the synthesis of thyroid can you drink tap water hormones by blocking the absorption of iodine by the thyroid gland. This can cause a hypothyroidismof the cognitive disordersof the growth delays in children. fatigue, a Decrease in physical and mental capacitiesas well as a goiter (increase in the volume of the thyroid).

The populations most at risk are the pregnant womenfetuses. infants and young peoplewhose thyroid is still immature, as well as people already with thyroid disorders.

Regulatory standards

The European directive fixes for chlorates A limit between 250. 700 µg/l – this limit of 700 µg/L applying only in certain circumstances, subject to a risk assessment – aligned with the WHO standard. In Belgiumthe three regions have chosen the strictest value, i.e. 250 µg/lto be observed by January 2026.

For them perchloratesthere is not yet a European standard. With us. the Higher Health Council recommends as much as possible 2 µg/l for vulnerable groups (infants, pregnant can you drink tap water women) and 13 µg/l for the rest of the population. Wallonia and Brussels plan to apply a limit of 15 µg/L from 2028, while Flanders retains 13 µg/l.

Les PFAS

PFASs are chemical compounds of industrial origin, created to make non-stick products, water resistant to water, fats and heat, such as stoves, textiles or anti-fire.

They mainly come from industrial discharges. end up Contaminate water, air, floors et The food chainexposing man by drinking water, food or dust.

Environmental. health effects

Chronic exposure to PFAS, even at low doses, can disturb the hormonesweaken the immune systemharm the reproduction and promote some cancers.

The effects vary according to the type of PFAS. the duration of exposure and the sensitivity of each, with increased risks for babies, children, pregnant women and fragile people.

More on the effects can you drink tap water of PFAS on our health

Regulatory standards

• The European standard fixes a limit of 100 ng/l (nanograms per liter) for the sum of 20 specific pfas, and 500 ng/l For all PFAS measurable in drinking water.
• These two European limitswhich were initially applied from January 2026. are already application Since 2023 in Wallonia and July 2025 in the other 2 regions. Furthermore. a vigilance has been set at 30 ng/l By the Walloon Minister of the Environment: when the concentration of the 20 PFAS reaches this threshold, water distributors must set up an action plan, such as the replacement of saturated filters.
• Following the opinion of the Higher Health Council. a value of 4 ng/l was defined for 4 most worrying PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHXS). The water distributors in the three regions will have to target this threshold by 2028.

For comparison, Denmark has adopted an can you drink tap water even stricter standard of 2 NG/L for these 4 PFAS.

TFA (trifluoroacetic acid)

TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) is a fluoridated compound produced in particular during the degradation of some Fluorized pesticides (several of which are now prohibited in Europe), refrigerantsof Fluorized drugsas – as said before – of the Decomposition of PFAS long chain. It is also industrially synthesized and can have a natural origin.

Environmental. health effects

Unlike long chain PFAS, TFA accumulates little in living organisms, but its strong persistence represents a major risk of long -term pollutionespecially for water resources.

On the health level, the TFA seems less toxic than long -chain PFAS. However, thechronic exhibition in low doses remains poorly understood, and studies are in progress To assess its long -term impacts. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently examining these risks, which could lead can you drink tap water to future recommendations on drinking water quality.

Regulatory standards

TFA is not yet officially regulated In Europe. Belgium for drinking water, but its presence must be closely monitored.

L’herbicide flufénacetwhich breaks down into TFA. was prohibited in 2025 because endocrine disruptor, and the TFA is recognized as a relevant metabolite in groundwater with a standard of 100 ng/l. In Belgium. the Walloon Region and Brussels have adopted a Guide value of 2,200 ng/l In drinking water, while Flanders offers a much higher value (15 600 ng/l). These values do not call into question potability, but trigger reinforced monitoring in the event of exceeding.

Since 2021. theOECD Consider TFA as a PFASbut it is not yet included in the European standard of 500 NG/L for the sum of total PFAS in drinking water. Depending on its origin (fluorinated pesticides. products containing PFAS), the TFA can therefore fall under different standards, can you drink tap water which complicates its regulations.

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